11
SPLINTER AND GONE
Two days later Patha looked up at the peak above her head with trepidation. She had elected to come to the volcano first since it seemed the most likely to have something to tell her. But what if it was like Zema for Lar; an obvious connection to his magic but in the end, it held nothing of worth? This volcano, nameless on the map, but oozing fire and light through fissures all down its flanks seemed to resonate for the Queen of Fire. She reminded herself often that it might be nothing more than a guardian over her palace, and she should not be disappointed if it held nothing for her.
Patha had deliberately brought them to the eastern side of the volcano, on the far side away from her palace. She did not want to be distracted by the beauty and the chiming magic that
